Hay-cutter.



W. L. IWAN.

HAY CUTTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 2. 1913.

1,1 12,701. Patented 0011.6,1914.

frag/22216 THE NOk RIS PETERS 60.. PHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C,

WILLIAM L. IWAN', OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

HAY-CUTTER.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM L. IWAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and "XState of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hay- Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

invention relates, more particularly, to hay-cutters of the type wherein the cutting portion of the tool, generally of serrated form, is provided on the lower end thereof, as distinguished from hay-cutters of the type wherein the cutting-portion thereof is along one edge of the tool as in the case of a knife.

My object is to provide a construction of hay-cutter of the type above referred to which shall be strong and durable, cheap to manufacture and which will not present undue obstruction to penetration into the hay.

Referring to the accompanying drawing- Figure l is a view in elevation of a hay-cut ter constructed in accordance with my invention, a portion of the handle being broken away; and Fig. 2, an edge view of the tool with the socket-portion thereof shown in section.

As is usual in constructions of this character, the tool is formed of a cutter-head and a shank, or handle, portion, usually of wood, secured thereto and terminating in a handgrip. The cutter-head of my improved tool, wherein lies my improvement, is illustrated at 3, it being of metal and preferably cast in a solid piece. The lower end of the head 3 is of much greater width than its upper end forming a web-like structure, and in accordance with common practice is serrated along its lower edge as indicated at 4, the cutting-blades of a form as usually provided and represented at 5 fitting fiatwise against the rear side of the head 3 at the inset-portion 6 thereof to extend beyond the serrations 1-, and held in place by rivets 7. The expanded web-section of the head 3 is preferably formed with ribs 8, 9 and 10, on its front side, the ribs 8 extending along the marginal edges of said web-section, the ribs 9 following the contour of the serrated edge lof said section, but slightly upwardly offset therefrom, and the rib 10 extending downwardly centrally of the web-section, from the point of intersection of the ribs 8 Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 2, 1913.

Patented Oct. 6, 1914. Serial No. 787,688.

with each other, the arrangement of reinforcing ribs just described permitting the cutter-head to be made relatively thin, without lmpalring its strength or durability. The upper end of the head 3, at which it is secured to the handle represented at 11, contains a socket 12 into which the handle is fitted, the end of the handle which enters the socket 12 being preferably tapered to fit the socket and the handle being tightly wedged therein, a screw 13, which extends through an opening in the wall of the socket 12 and into the handle, or any other suitable means, being provided for preventing accidental disengagement of the head 3 from the handle. lit is desirable in tools of this character that a step be provided against which the operator may bear with his foot to force the cutting edges of the tool through the hay to be cut, such a step being represented at 14 and in my improved tool being formed integrally with the head 3.

By constructing a hay-cutter in accordance with my invention, no obstructing projections are presented thereby which will interfere with the easy and effective operation of the cutter which is of considerable advantage in a construction of this character as will be manifest to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, a tool so constructed is strong and durable.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A hay-cutter comprising a cutter-head formed at its upper end with an integral handle-receiving socket and step, and provided on its marginal edges and centrally of its face with integral ribs, and a cutting blade secured to said head, for the purpose set forth.

2. A hay-cutter comprising a cutter-head formed at its upper end with an integral handle-receivin socket and step, and at its lower end with serrations, marginal ribs eK- tending about the sides and lower end of said head, a rib disposed centrally of the face of said head, and a serrated cutter secured to said head and overlapping the serrations thereon, for the purpose set forth.

WILl'JIAlJ/l L. IWAN.

In presence of ROBERT P. KIZER, MAME E. THOMAS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

